State of New Hampshire

Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus ©Cephas - Wikimedia
Birding New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of the six New England states in the northeastern corner of the US, encompassing an area of approximately 9,000 square miles, placing it as the 44th state in size. The state is heavily forested, with rolling hills and rugged mountains. From the Atlantic seacoast to the White Mountain National Forest to the northern boreal forests, New Hampshire has many easily-accessible birding areas and a wealth of public lands. This diversity of habitat also provides for a great diversity of bird species. Approximately 390 species of birds have been recorded in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is easily accessible by air from Boston’s Logan International airport or Manchester municipal airport. Whether you have just a few days or more than a week there are ample birding opportunities. The sections below highlight the most productive birding areas in the state.

Top Sites
  • Connecticut Lakes Region

    InformationSatellite View
    The Connecticut Lakes Region in extreme northern New Hampshire, along the Canadian border provides year-round birding opportunities, but is most hospitable during summer. Numerous logging roads provide access to the prime boreal birding areas. Species to expect include year-round Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee; plus summer-time Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatchers, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll and Mourning Warblers, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird. This is another area to expect winter finches. Moose are numerous, and the sharp-eyed observer should see Snowshoe Hare.
  • Pawtuckaway State Park

    Satellite View
    Pawtuckaway State Park affords good birding during spring, summer and fall. This large, and relatively undeveloped park, in southeastern New Hampshire attracts a curious blend of both northern and southern species. Access the undeveloped part of the park from Reservation Road off State Route 107 in Deerfield and follow signs towards the lookout tower. Specialties to look for include Common Raven, Winter Wren, Blackburnian Warbler, Purple Finch and Evening Grosbeaks; plus Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Cerulean Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush.
  • Seacoast Region

    InformationSatellite View
    The seacoast region provides excellent birding opportunities year-round. In spring and fall be sure to visit Odiorne Point State Park in Rye for migrant warblers and other songbirds. In fall plan to arrive at Seabrook Harbor at low tide for the shorebird show. During winter scope the offshore waters for sea ducks and alcids and check open grassy areas for Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Buntings. Fall storms with east winds provide an excellent opportunity to see pelagic birds from the shore at Ragged Neck or Pulpit Rock. Offshore trips depart from Seabrook, Hampton, and Rye during the summer and fall.
  • White Mountain National Forest

    Satellite View
    The White Mountain National Forest is well worth a visit from spring through fall; or even in winter if you seek to find winter finches (Pine Grosbeak, both crossbills, Pine Siskins and Evening Grosbeaks). Bicknell`s Thrush is a highly sought-after target bird. The most accessible locations for this species include the following. Take the aerial tramway to the top of Mount Cannon from Franconia Notch State Park. Hike up the Caps Ridge Trail from Jefferson Notch which starts out at an elevation of 3,000 feet. Drive your car up Mount Washington from U.S. Route 16 in Pinkham Notch. You should also find a diverse selection of boreal birds in these areas. Peregrine Falcons nest on cliffs in Franconia and Crawford Notches.
Contributors
  • Alan Delorey

    Chester, NH | Al.Delorey@Compaq.Com

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 398

    (As at October 2018)

    State Bird - Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus

Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • Birder's Guide to New Hampshire

    | Edited by Alan Delorey | ABA | 1996 | Spiralbound | 222 pages, B/w photos, maps | ISBN: 9781878788115 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of New Hampshire & Vermont Field Guide

    | By Stan Tekiela | Adventure Publications | 2016 | Paperback | 340 pages, colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781591936404 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birdwatching in New Hampshire

    | By Eric A Masterson | University Press of New England | 2013 | Paperback | 217 pages, colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9781584659860 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • The Birds of New Hampshire

    | By Allan R Keith & Robert P Fox | Nuttall Ornithological Club | 2013 | Hardback | 473 pages, b/w illustrations, 1 b/w map | ISBN: 9781877973475 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Organisations
  • Ammonoosuc Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon

    Facebook Page
    Meetings are held the third Wednesday of September, October, November, January, February, March and April at 7 PM at the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH. Meetings are free and open to the public. The Chapter maintains the Scotland Brook Sanctuary in Landaff and assists at the Pondicherry NWR in Jefferson and Whitefield…
  • Amoskeag Chapter of NH Audubon

    Website
    The twelve chapters of ASNH bring our mission into communities throughout the state of New Hampshire. Each chapter is organized by a group of committed volunteers and provide field trip and program opportunities for members and nonmembers alike. Many chapters undertake special projects such as bluebird trails, sanctuary management, bird seed sales, Christmas Bird Counts and other special events…
  • Capital Area Chapter of NH Audubon

    Information
    The Capital Area Chapter (CAC); established in 1982, is the Society's largest chapter (about 1400 members); its area in the south-central portion of the State includes Concord and 22 surrounding towns, including at least one town in each of five of the State's ten counties.
  • Lakes Region Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon

    Website
    Welcome to the Lakes Region Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. We are a group of committed volunteers who help bring the Audubon mission into Carroll County, Belknap County and beyond. All of our activities are open to members and nonmembers alike. We offer free monthly programs held at The Loon Center in Moultonborough, NH. In a comfortable, informal setting local experts share stories and information about birds, animals, weather, the environment, and all things nature. For more information on our programs held on the third Thursday evening of the month, follow this blog. The upcoming program will be at the top of the page.
  • Loon Preservation Society

    Website
    LPC’s mission is to restore and maintain a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; to monitor the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and to promote a greater understanding of loons and the larger natural world.
  • Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon

    Website
    We're the Upper (Connecticut River) Valley chapter of the New Hampshire Audubon Society (ASNH). In our chapter's case, the New Hampshire is a bit deceptive, since many of our members are from Vermont! Just to clear up possible confusion, ASNH is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, or for that matter the State of New Hampshire, but is a separate group that is local to New Hampshire…
  • Mt. Monadnock Chapter of NH Audubon

    Information
  • Nashaway Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon

    Website
    Nashaway is one of the chapters of New Hampshire Audubon . We provide free-of-charge informative programs on birds, birding, and nature for residents of Nashua and surrounding communities.
  • Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire

    Webpage
    The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Since 1961, we've been working in New Hampshire to do just that. Together with partners, local landowners and the support of members like you, we have helped to protect more than 294,000 acres in the Granite State.
  • New Hampshire Audubon

    Website
    New Hampshire Audubon, a nonprofit statewide membership organization, is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state. Independent of the National Audubon Society, NHA has offered programs in wildlife conservation, land protection, environmental policy, and environmental education since 1914…
  • Pemigewasset Chapter of NH Audubon

    Information
    The Pemigewasset Chapter of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire is comprised of 18 towns in central NH. The Chapter sponsors field trips, monthly programs, cooperates with the Newfound Audubon Sanctuaries, participates in local Christmas Bird Counts, and other activities…
  • Seacoast Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon

    Website
    The Seacoast Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon sponsors field trips, monthly programs, and runs special projects in the seacoast region of New Hampshire. We invite you to join in our activities and our programs. All of our activities are family-friendly and open to the general public and most are free!
  • Soo-Nipi Chapter of NH Audubon

    Information
    The twelve chapters of ASNH bring our mission into communities throughout the state of New Hampshire. Each chapter is organized by a group of committed volunteers and provide field trip and program opportunities for members and nonmembers alike…
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • Audubon Society of New Hampshire Sanctuaries

    InformationSatellite View
    NH Audubon owns and manages 38 wildlife sanctuaries throughout all 10 counties of New Hampshire. In addition, there are several other properties on which NH Audubon has a management agreement with another entity. These lands, covering over 8,000 acres of important wildlife habitat, provide opportunities for recreation, education, and aesthetic experiences. Three of our sanctuaries have associated nature centers, and many have interpretive trail guides and well-developed trail systems. A variety of wildlife management techniques are ongoing at our sanctuaries, and others are left to natural processes. Through habitat management, research, education, and continued land protection we are working to ensure that New Hampshire’s wildlife and natural heritage is protected for us all…
  • BS Minot J Ross Memorial Bird Sanctuary

    InformationSatellite View
    The Minot J. Ross Bird Sanctuary is located close to the center of the Amherst village. This sanctuary consists of 12 acres given by Eleanor Ross in memory of her husband and an abutting 9 acres given to the residents of Amherst by Karl Norwood. It is a natural wetland with access at Thorton's Ferry I Road. The wetland continues to Route 101. Birdhouses and a viewing platform have been erected there…
  • BS Silk Farm Sanctuary

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Silk Farm Audubon Center is Audubon's longest established center. In addition to being a program center, the building is also home to the statewide operations of Audubon. The Silk Farm Audubon Center offers year-round environmental education programs for people of all ages through school and youth group programs, vacation camps during all school vacations, Saturday family programs, pre-school programs, programs for homeschool families, teacher workshops, and adult education workshops. The center also has exhibits, live animals, hiking trails, and a wonderful Nature Store with bird feeders, optics, bird seed, books, clothing, jewelry, gifts, and much more…
  • NC Massabesic Audubon Center

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    The 5,000 square foot Massabesic Audubon Center is located on a historic farm site. The Center is just minutes from downtown Manchester and is bordered by 130 acres of rolling fields and mature deciduous forest with woodland wetlands, a pond, streams, and marshes. The site has been preserved as a wildlife sanctuary that encompasses a diverse array of upland habitats. There are more than five miles of trails that lead to scenic Lake Massabesic, and the property is adjacent to thousands of undeveloped acres of Manchester Water Works land…
  • NC Newfound

    InformationSatellite View
    Located on the beautiful northern shore of Newfound Lake, the Newfound Audubon Center is comprised of three wildlife sanctuaries, the Paradise Point Nature Center, Ash Cottage at Hebron Marsh Sanctuary and the Bear Mountain Sanctuary. During the summer months, the Nature Center offers many programs for all ages, several interactive exhibits, live animal displays, and canoe and kayak rentals. With sanctuary trails open all year, there is always something to do…
  • NC Prescott Farm Conservancy Center

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Prescott Farm Audubon Center, ASNH's newest environmental education center, began offering programs in July of 1998. Through a partnership with a private family trust, Prescott Conservancy, Inc., Audubon manages this scenic and historic 160-acre family farmstead. Audubon operates Prescott Farm Audubon Center for the purposes of providing environmental education programming centered around land stewardship, using Prescott Farm as a demonstration area.
  • NF White Mountain

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Forest's diversity of habitat provides a home for wildlife ranging from spotted salamanders to black bear and moose, with no fewer than 184 species of birds to boot…
  • NR Pond Parish Town Forest

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    On the pond geese and ducks are frequent visitors, swimming around the beaver lodge. The transition buffer between the pond and upland is an active zone for small birds, residents and migrants. The observation deck is placed in this buffer…
  • NWR Great Bay

    InformationSatellite View
    A variety of rich wildlife habitats from uplands to open waters can be found throughout the refuge.
  • NWR Umbagog

    InformationSatellite View
    Located in Coos County, New Hampshire and Oxford County, Maine, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge is a northern treasure in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The diversity of exceptional habitats provides excellent breeding and foraging areas for migratory birds, endangered species, resident wildlife, and rare plants. The refuge protects over 25,650 acres (103.8 km2) of wetland and forested upland habitat along Umbagog Lake. About 70% of its area is in New Hampshire and 30% in Maine.
  • NWR Wapack

    InformationSatellite View
    Wapack National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States located in southern New Hampshire. It was the state's first refuge and was established through a donation in 1972. The 1,672-acre (677 ha) refuge is located about 20 miles (32 km) west of Nashua, New Hampshire and encompasses the 2,278-foot (694 m) North Pack Monadnock Mountain.
  • SP Pawtuckaway

    InformationSatellite View
    Opportunities are endless for experiencing the natural wonders NH State Parks have to offer.
Sightings, News & Forums
  • ABA Birding News New Hampshire

    Listings
    New Hampshire Bird news by date
Trip Reports
  • 2016 [10 October] - James P Smith - New England

    PDF Report
  • 2017 [06 June] - Ian Merrill

    PDF Report
    In summary, the trip could be badged as a birding ‘mop-up’ mission of a targeted set of juicy North Eastern USA specialities, combined with a healthy dose of sightseeing and general relaxation, to pacify the requirements of a largely non-birding wife. The following pages are, therefore, not written as a comprehensive birding trip report of this region, but will hopefully provide an insight into the current status and accessibility of a limited selection of much-desired species. Having already travelled extensively in the USA my target bird list was, in fact, limited to just seven species: Spruce and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Kirtland’s Warbler and Le Conte’s Sparrow in Michigan, plus Bicknell’s Thrush in New Hampshire.
  • 2021 [06 June] - Steve Shunk

    PDF Report
    Despite this being a New Hampshire tour, we started in Portland, Maine, which provided the best access to our tour route. Joined by Gina Nichol, we gathered at the Hampton Inn near the Portland airport and ventured out to the Portland waterfront for our amazing dinner at Scales Restaurant. The waterfront was more active with humans than birds, but we still enjoyed the excellent looks of ‘common’ species, such as Common Eider, Common Tern, and Great Black-backed Gull—the largest gull in the word. Did I mention the mouthwatering seafood at Scales Restaurant? Onward...
  • 2022 [06 June] - Steve Shunk

    Annotated Species Listr
    Bicknell’s Thrushes galore; 15 breeding warbler species; copulating Black-billed Cuckoos; displaying Bobolink; nesting Piping Plovers; beaver at close range; pink lady’s slipper orchids; stunning White Mountain panoramas; and a Peregrine Falcon taking a Rock Pigeon in mid-air at eye level! Our second annual trip to New Hampshire and southern Maine left our whole group with a passel of fantastic memories. We went to seen Bicknell’s Thrush on the iconic Mt. Washington, along with a host of northeastern warblers, and we finished with so much more. The list below will take you through our wildlife encounters. And hopefully it will inspire you to join us next year!
Places to Stay
  • Inn at Crystal Lake

    Accommodation
    Inn at Crystal Lake New Hampshire Bed and Breakfast - exceptional lodging in New Hampshire Nestled between the White Mountains and the Lakes Region - the best of both! Every season offers unique ways to experience the White Mountains and Lakes Region, and the Inn at Crystal Lake bed and breakfast and restaurant keeps you close to everything, but still tucked away in a quiet little village. No area in New England can match the number of vacation opportunities here in the Mt. Washington Valley and the Lakes Region. So make the Inn at Crystal Lake your number one choice for lodging in NH's White Mountains
  • Inn of the Tartan Fox B&B

    Accommodation
    Ten and one half acres of woods, ponds, and beautiful grounds beckon you to experience nature in New Hampshire. Take in the hundreds of flowers or perhaps spot one of the many migratory birds that frequent the property.
Other Links
  • Birds of New England

    Website
    Some excellent photographs
  • New Hampshire Bird Records

    Webpage
    Here are ways to find out what birds are being seen in New Hampshire.
  • New Hampshire Birding

    Website
    New HampshireBirding.com has been established to provide those interested in birding in New Hampshire with information to assist them in making their birding time more fun and productive…
  • New Hampshirebirds.com

    Website
    ew Hampshirebirds.com is part of the Birdzilla.com network of Web sites. You can visit the Birdzilla Web site or one of our other networked sites for even more wild bird information.
Blogs
  • Lilian & Don Stokes - Stokes Birding Blog

    BLOG
    Welcome to Stokes Birding Blog where we will bring you great information about birds and birding, bird photography, feature Lillian's beautiful bird photos, update you on what's happening with birds and keep you in touch with what's going on with the Stokes.
Photographers & Artists
  • Bird Sculpture - Tim McEachern

    Gallery
    Natures wings - where the vision and inspirations of nature are captured

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content